His Billows

They are God's billows, whether they go over us
Hiding His face in smothering spray and foam,
Or, smooth and sparkling, spread a path before us,
And to our haven bear us safely home.

They are God's billows, whether, for our succour,
He walks across them, stilling all our fear,
Or to our cry there comes nor aid nor answer,
And in the lonely silence none is near.

They are God's billows, whether we are toiling
Through tempest-driven waves that never cease,
While deep to deep with clamor loud is calling,
Or at His word they hush themselves in peace.

They are God's billows, whether He divides them,
Making us walk dry shod where seas had flowed,
Or lets tumultuous breakers surge about us
Rushing unchecked across our only road.

They are God's billows, and He brings us through them;
So has He promised, so His love will do;
Keeping and leading, guiding and upholding,
To His sure harbor, He will bring us through.

Annie Johnson Flint

Psalm 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep
at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy
waves and thy billows are gone
over me. 8 Yet the LORD will
command his lovingkindness
in the daytime, and in the night his
song shall be with me, and my
prayer unto the God of my life...
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
and why art thou disquieted within me?
hope thou in God: for I shall yet
praise him, who is the health
of my countenance, and my God.